Tuesday 27 April 2010

FANTASY REVIEW: Dragon Age: The Stolen Throne, The Calling - David Gaider

BOOK BLURB:

This is the thrilling prequel to "Dragon Age: Origins", the hit role-playing video game from award-winning developer BioWare! After his mother, the beloved Rebel Queen, is betrayed and murdered by her own faithless lords, young Maric becomes the leader of a rebel army attempting to free his nation from the control of a foreign tyrant. His countrymen live in fear; his commanders consider him untested; and his only allies are Loghain, a brash young outlaw who saved his life, and Rowan, the beautiful warrior maiden promised to him since birth. Surrounded by spies and traitors, Maric must find a way to not only survive but achieve his ultimate destiny: Ferelden's freedom and the return of his line to the stolen throne. This is a must-read for fans of the multi-awarding winning game.


REVIEW:

I more or less fell onto this title by accident, purely as I wanted to play the game as I’d heard a lot of good things about it. What David Gaider has done however is create an interesting as well as pretty solid prequel that will not only enthuse the reader but also gives some great background to the world as a whole. The prose is sharp, the action pretty tightly stuffed within but above all its his characterisation alongside dialogue that really will have the reader enjoying the title. Overall, this is a great offering and one that has a similar sort of feel to the opening of Waylander 2 (In the Realm of the Wolf) by David Gemmell for the reader.



BOOK BLURB:

This is another thrilling prequel to Dragon Age: Origins , the hit role-playing video game from Bioware! After 200 years of exile King Maric has allowed the legendary Grey Wardens to return to Fereden. Their arrival brings news that one of their own has escaped into Deep Roads and aligned himself with their ancient enemy, the monstrous darkspawn. Maric agrees to help the Grey Wardens, leading them into the passages he traveled through many years before, chasing after a deadly secret that threatens to destroy not only the Grey Wardens but also the kingdom above. This is an essential read for fans of the award-winning game.


REVIEW:

The second title in the Dragon Age series and pretty much does what the first one did whilst presenting a great title, great story arc and characters that you really want to travel with. Beautifully written and an ideal companion for not only the game but readers on the road this title will thrill, amuse and above all deliver what every fantasy reader wants in their break from the real world. A cracking offering although personally I’d advise reading the first novel prior to this as it does contain spoilers.

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